US Senate Bans Tax on Internet Access

February 11, 2016—The US Senate approved the “Internet Tax Freedom Act,” which prohibits states from taxing Internet access. It also bans certain taxes on digital goods and services bought online. This ruling is a permanent extension to a bill that seeks stricter implementation on taxing foreign goods.

The vote to pass the bill went 75-20 with majority of Senators agreeing that taxing Internet access will just make it less available especially for low-income citizens. Democratic Senator from Oregon Ron Wyden said that, “Most Americans pay $0 in taxes to connect to the Internet. And thanks to a bill that passed today, you will never have to pay taxes just to get online, or pay more taxes for goods and services just because they’re bought online.”